The Easter school holidays are underway, and the Continence Foundation of Australia is holding a hunt of its own.
‘The Great Dunny Hunt’ is calling on locals to register loos in different locations on The National Public Toilet Map while they are out and about
With one in four Australians aged 15 years and over suffering from incontinence, Continence Foundation of Australia CEO Rowan Cockerell said the map, which currently lists over 19,000 toilets, gives people confidence.
“The fear of not having access to toilets in public can restrict, and even stop, people from leaving their home for everyday activities,” Ms Cockerell said.
“There are small towns, bigger regional areas, parks and service stations, not to mention new builds of community centres and play areas that are coming online all the time, so we are keen for people to share local knowledge to support Australians living with continence issues.”
People with certain health conditions, the elderly, expectant or new mothers can all benefit from the toilet map as well as families with young children and those travelling in general.
Once the location of a public toilet is registered the submission will be reviewed before being published for users to see.
Those that upload the details of regional public toilets before Sunday, June 20 will also go in the draw to win one of three $500 Eftpos vouchers.
Along with the real time, reliable map of public toilets, the Continence Foundation of Australia also provide support for those living in the Penrith, Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury area with its free outreach program.
Local Nurse Continence Specialist, Julia Wooldridge said she sees many people with bladder and bowel issues.
“I deal mostly with men and women aged over 65 where I come to them to assess what the problem might be and give them lifestyle changes such as diet, doing pelvic floor exercises or even changing behaviours with the way they go to the toilet,” Ms Wooldridge said.
She said the new map concept is of real benefit to locals in need.
“So many people actually have this issue where when they get the urge, they need to find a toilet so we try to treat that, plus the map can aid people in not being so anxious about going out,” she said.
To view the map visit, http://www.toiletmap.gov.au or to get support visit, http://www.continence.org.au.
Emily Feszczuk
A graduate of Western Sydney University, Emily covers Local, State and Federal politics for the Weekender, as well as crime and general news.